New statewide test results show North Carolina students and teachers have lots of work before most public school students are learning what they need for college and careers ahead.

The new READY assessment released for the first time Thursday finds fewer than half the students in grade 3 and above scored in the proficient range on year-end tests in reading, math and other topics. Most students rated proficient in just two tests out of 18.

The report replaces the ABCs of Public Education, which for 16 years tested the lesser goal of whether children were ready for the next grade.

A separate report Thursday shows North Carolina fourth- and eighth-graders are almost exactly at the national average in reading and math on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

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